The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-10-22

drive down to the station for Loo's lug
gage, ara this necessitates a rummag-
ing expedition in Loo's hand bag for
the checks. The brasses found, the
Captain goes his way, and leaves the
young lady alone with her aunt.
Il wish to say to you," begins Ma
dam, calmly, 'and l may as well say it
now as at some future time, that my
object in inviting you to live at Bywater
Park is more to please the Captain
than from any interest which You may
suppose l feel in either your father or
yourself. The Captain has some alb
surd ideas about what he considers my
duty is to you. He feels that the ties
of blood which bind the daughter of
Frederic Bolton to me give you the
right to claim something IN the way of
assistance from me.
Ioo's head lifts itself trihe higher
at this, the color deepens in her cheeks,
her eyes sparkle. Madam, who is keen
ly watching every change in that ex-
pressive face, gloats secretly at the
spirit which shows itself.
Aunt Dundas-perhapsI should say
Madam Dundas-i came here for the
purpose of earning that salary which
you were kind enough to offer in return
for my services. / care less for the ties
of blood which bind us together than
you do yourself / look upon you in
the light of an employer; any other
claim which / might have upon your
time or attention is ignored"
Madam taps the polished floor with
the toe of her high heeled slipper.
Then she leads the way into the draw
ing-room, and, pointing to handsome
piano which stands open in recess,
says, not unkindly:
Il am passionately fond of music.
Do you sing?"
"A little" is the quiet reply.
"The Captain plays tolerably, but his
efforts are all instrumental-not vocal.
| think we will be able to get on very
well together. 1t may be rather lonely
for you to live with an old woman like
me; but | am sure l shall enjoy the So
ciety of young girl like yourself. We
will drive to the village tomorrow, and
you shall select some new gowns. All
girls are fond of new gowns"
Madam, impelled by some impulse,
stretches out her wrinkled old hand
and lays it on the girls head
The act breaks down the barriers
that have been rising in Loo's heart. She
is quick to feel the change in Madam's
manner.
The warm tears spring to Loo's eyes.
She seizes Madam's hand, and raising
1t to her lips cries impulsively:
IL don't care for the gowns, aunt;
n,Olx INn 70 NA1 L.
world was ever kind to me-"
Then she chokes-and halfrepenting
this show of emotion, drops Madam's
hand again.
And Madam rings the bell for her
maid, who is told to show Miss Boil
ton to the room assigned to her use,
and to be ready for the usual five
o'clock tea.
Loo went away, wondering curiously
if she had MORALLY offended her aunt
in the very beginning of Their acquaint-
ance. She has hardly time to make a
tour of inspection through the apart
ments to which she is conducted, when
her one small trunk arrives.
The maid announces demurely that
Madam has ordered her to take care of
the young lady's toilet, and Loo, not
quite daring to rebel against her aunt's
dictum, submits in silence The maid
rummages through the small trunk and
drags out Loo's best gown, pale yell
low thing with scarlet ribbons, which
Loo has in her secret heart thought
masterpiece, to be reserved for very
grand occasions only, and insists upon
roblng the young lady III it. The gown
is cheap, but it is certainly becoming,
and Loo is more than pleased with the
result as she surveys i-er reflection in
the glass.
ITO BE CONTINUED